13. Mitsubishi HC 3000

As new video projectors proliferate, the models are tending to resemble each other more and more. Mitsubishi's models, however, offer a radically different design, and technical characteristics that have been revamped to try to go farther than the competition.

The HC3000 is a perfect example. Mitsubishi has used an unconventional video matrix, with WGXA (1280x768) resolution, from Texas Instruments. It's called DarkChip 2 and it measures 0.65 inches. This slightly offbeat format is perfect for data use, but also for HD video, in which case the signal will cover 720 lines; the projector uses the 48 additional lines to simulate a moderate vertical lens shift.

Video processing is handled by a DDP 3020 chipset developed by Texas Instruments and Mitsubishi Electric for getting the best out of the DLP technology. This chipset, operating at a clock speed of 200 MHz, works at 10/12 bits, which improves the fluidity of movement and also provides 1024 gray levels instead of the basic 256.

To round out the innovations, the HC 3000 also has a 6-segment color wheel and high-resolution glass optics so as not to reduce light flow. Finally, though the specified contrast ratio was already 2,000:1, Mitsubishi has given in to the temptation of including an automatic iris adjustment system, for a claimed contrast ratio of some 4,000:1.

You can choose between open and closed iris mode via the menu, and also by simply pressing a dedicated button on the remote control. You'll get the best black level in closed position, which reduces the brightness and really improves the contrast ratio. It's a shame the engineers didn't see fit to provide a lens shift function, however. Also, a slightly more powerful zoom and a shorter focal length would have been appreciated by many people.

Another small detail: There's no power on/off switch, which means you'll have to plug the HC3000's power cable into a switched outlet, or else it'll stay in sleep mode permanently. But there is an automatic shutoff function that puts the unit on standby as soon as the lamp has cooled.

Esthetically, the HC3000 isn't exactly what you'd call sexy, and its anthracite-gray color and nondescript shape remind you more of a data projector for running PowerPoint presentations. Even its size and weight are different - you'll be able to pop it into a bag to take it with you on vacation or when you visit friends. On the back of the unit are the usual connectors: HDMI, YUV, S-Video, and cinch.